The Force & Frozen are coming to Awesome Con – Darth, Ackbar & Elsa!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Denise
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Images: Awesome Con

Yeah I know — you’re still ironing your Jawa robe for Friday’s The Force Awakens happytimes (hint: dont!  Like Jawas had spray starch?)  But here’s the scoop on some seriously cool Star Wars action at next year’s Awesome Con: David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar) will be in DC this summer!  Yep, you’ll be able to meet and greet, and chat ’em up about all things Force.  A very cool announcement, and perfect timing.

Want more?  Okay, here’s something for folks who are fans of Once Upon A Time and Frozen: Georgina Haig will be at next year’s Awesome Con too!  Pretty cool…in fact, downright chilly?  Okay, maybe not.  But still cool y’all.

And my fellow Gotham-ites will be happy to hear that Penguin – aka Robin Lord Taylor – will also be making the scene.  I’ve seen interviews with him, and I can’t wait to check out any panel he’ll be a part of.  Hopefully Morena Baccarin will be a part of said panel?  Or maybe it’ll be a full on Bat-fest with Adam West and Burt Ward?  Only time will tell…

Read on for links and the official tidbits from Awesome Con.  Awesome Con will be at the Washington Convention Center June 3-5, 2016.  See you at the ‘Con!

 

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Norm of the North!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Denise

Norm of the NorthBaltimore people, tourists can really put a crimp in your city time, amirite? Everybody trying to hit the Aquarium at the same time.  Crowding around the penguin exhibit at the Zoo.  And let’s not forget trying to spend a little one-on-one time with E.A.P.  And my hometown DC peeps, does “walk on the left, stand on the right” mean nothing?

A bear out there feels you.  He just wants a little downtime, but noooooo!  Tourists.  Gentrifying his neighborhood like a buch of glitter-beard hipsters.  Oh, did I mention his ‘hood is the Arctic?  So he’s gonna go get satisfaction…in New York City.  (Speaking of tourist glut… )That’s poor Norm’s story in Norm of the North.  And he’s the cutest grumpy guy since Anger in Inside Out.  Synopsis!

A polar bear of many words, Norm’s greatest gripe is simple: there is no room for tourists in the Arctic.  But when a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury condos in his own backyard, Norm does what all normal polar bears would do…he heads to New York City to stop it.  With a cast of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm takes on the big apple, big business and a big identity crisis to save the day.

Ready for some chilly fun?  Onward! Continue reading →

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#TheForceAwakens: this is the spoiler-free review you’re looking for

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Denise

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Nutshell: J.J. Abrams keeps the themes so beloved from Episodes IV-VI while keeping things fresh and compelling.  Action, suspense, dread, hope…it’s all here. An excellent addition to the Star Wars universe, and a must-see this awards season.  Grade: A

“Force?”

Okay.  So I don’t want to ruin things for you.  But I do want to tell you about the film.  So how about a round of Q&A, hmm?  Hit it!

Q: I read your nutshell.  I need more.  Why do you think this is a good movie?

A: Because at two hours and fifteen minutes, there’s not a single frame wasted.  Not a scene that drags on too long.  No dialogue that needed a trim.  Everything is USDA Grade A Lean storytelling.  I wanted to watch it again immediately.  If they’d kept it on loop and allowed us to stay all day, I’d still be there.

Q:  Okay, so you’re a nerd.  More, please. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Fantastic Beasts” is here!

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Denise

Fantastic-Beasts-logo1-700x473-532x360Ready for some more of Harry Potter’s wizard world?  Well, you’ll have to wait about 11 months, but at least the first trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them just hit!

Looks very cool, and though I’d love to see some of the actual beasts, I’ve gotta give the folks who made the trailer props for keeping ’em under wraps (for now…)

Here’s the quick synopsis for muggles who haven’t memorized Rowling’s thin but way cool book:

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Yep. Not the UK.  The US of A.  Hopefully there’ll be plenty of across-pond quips.  Plus, can’t wait to see what they’ll do with Salem, Massachusets…  Peep the trailer, and read on for the full PR 411 from Warner Brothers.  Fantastic Beasts hits theaters November 18th, 2016.  Looking forward to seeing what Newt brings to the US?

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TrailerWatch – “Independence Day: Resurgence” brings the boom

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Denise

independence day resurgence bannerAnyone else catch the new Independence Day: Resurgence trailer last night during footballs?  (What? I have friends who watch the sports.)  Gotta say it made my night; I’ve been looking forward to a trailer since the ID:R press event earlier this year.  Didn’t see the trailer last night?  Wanna see it again because Roland Emmerich brings the massive?  Well, here ’tis.  Enjoy.

Good to see original cast members Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman and Judd Hirsch are front & center here.  Will Smith?  Apparently he was offered a part in ID:R, but sounds like his demands left him out of this one.  Too bad, but it looks like a squad of Colonial Warrior Viper pilots new blood are here to take on the aliens.  And I’m betting this time?  Those oute space suckers aren’t IBM compatible.

Independence Day: Resurgence hits theaters June 24th, 2016.  Check out http://www.warof1996.com/ to catch up on what’s been going on in the ID universe ’til Resurgence hits.

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Trailerwatch – “X-Men: Apocalypse” brings the power

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Denise

x men apocalypse onesheetI always loved those kaiju films where a bunch of monsters all got together and threw down.  X-Men: Apocalypse looks like a similar type of action fest.

For those who don’t know, Apocalypse — briefly seen in the post-credits scene of X-Men: Days of Future Past — is the first mutant.  Patient Zero, if you will.  And he’s coming for humanity, any an mutants that stand in his way, in X-Men: Apocalypse.

Game of Thrones‘ Sophie Turner as young Jean Grey starts things off with a shock.  And then Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac, looking like the love child of the Tin Man and Stargate‘s Apophis) comes onto the scene.  Charles Xavier (aka Professor X) is running the School for Gifted Youngsters, and there are hints of who’s on board, and who’s being recruited.

The ol’ gang is here; Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, and James McAvoy as Charles.  You’ll also notice Olivia Munn as Psylocke, Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy (keeping Beast at bay, it seems), Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, Kodi Smit-McPhee as an incredibly awesome looking Nightcrawler, and Lucas Till as Havok. And hooray — a peek at Evan Peters as Quicksilver!  He was my favorite thing about Future Past*, so I’m eager to see what he’ll do here.

I think it’s a great idea that Singer has the fledgling School full of untested, unsure mutants face off against Apocalypse. Otherwise, it’d be less of a nail-biter.  C’mon, like Dark Phoenix couldn’t wipe the floor with him.  But perhaps this could herald her transformation… Peep the trailer; X-Men: Apocalypse hits theaters May 27th, 2016.

* He was the only think I liked about that rambling mess of a movie. But Future Past has gotten so much love I may do a re-watch. For science.
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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Concussion!

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Denise

concussion onesheetOh man.  League of Denial was one powerful Frontline piece.  I recommend seeing it if you can (tip: it’s on the Netflix…)  So when I saw the trailer for Concussion, a biopic about the discovery of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) in football players?  I knew I had to see this movie.  You too?  Well then, I’ve got passes.  Synopsis!

Concussion, is a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known.  Omalu’s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Will Smith.  Gugu Mbatha-Raw.  Stephen Moyer.  Luke Wilson.  Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.  Yeah.

Passes?  Right this way… Continue reading →

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Review in a Flash: “In the Heart of the Sea” is a beautiful tale that struggles to stay afloat

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Denise

In the Heart of the Sea onesheet

It’s Awards Season Onslaught time! So that can mean only one thing; quickie reviews so you (and I) can get out and enjoy the season faster. Feliz Chrismukwanzyulekkah y’all!

Nutshell: Chris Hemsworth delivers an incredible, career-changing performance here. Pity the film itself flails about in a desperate search for meaning.  Top-notch whale and high-seas FX can’t disguise that this film runs out of steam halfway through. Grade: C

“The Devil love unspoken secrets. What’s yours?”

Before: Woot — did you see that trailer?  DID YOU?  It’s amazing!  Okay, I was skeptical about this film at first.  Worried that it was just a story with a high-caliber box office name attached.  And yes, while Chris Hemsworth kills it as Thor, I’d like to see him dig into something deeper than the standard box office catnip. So bring forth the high-concept catnip!

During: The start of this film showed real promise.  Horatio Hornblower sturm-und-drang between officers and crew, layered characters who could become heroes or villains depending on circumstance, and very cool historical detail.  Points for showing whaling as a difficult, disgusting, dirty job.  There’s no glamour here, only what needs to be done.  Absolutely fascinating.  A slight wrap-around story involving Herman Melville getting the real story of the Essex that doesn’t take up too much time but does give me some lovely Brendan Gleeson and Michelle “Catelyn Stark” Fairley time.  My bestest guy-pal should be kicking himself for missing this…or so I thought. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch – “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows”

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Denise

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brothers still Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles April Casey Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Bebop Rocksteady
“When something bad happens, you wanna be with the turtles!”

Can’t argue with that.  Especially if the boys have pizza.  Michael Bey’s TMNT reboot was better than I thought it’d be (hint: I thought it’d be crap, so the fun but limited story was a pleasant surprise), and lifelong fans got their money’s worth.  So this time, Bey looks like he’s trying to convert the newbies, while bringing more for fans to enjoy.  The “Out of the Shadows” subtitles sums up the story; there’s a Big Bad (hint: Shredder) who’s out to do some serious damage to the world.  Bebop and Rocksteady are making an apperarance this time, so expect Cowabunga worthy smackdowns on all sides.

The boys look and sound good, and there’s a tone that makes me think that these voice actors are settling into their roles just fine.  As for the non-turtle cast, Shredder (Brian Tee) has just the right amount of badassery and menace, and hello, is that Laura Linney front and center in this trailer?  Oh yeah baby.  I’ll watch anything she’s in, for she is fabulous.  And gotta say, Tyler Perry fits into all this pretty darn well as crazypants scientist Baxter Stockman.  Arrow‘s Stephen Amell joins Megan Fox’s April as fellow Turtle buddy Casey Jones.

Michael Bey is in full effect, as you can see from frame one of this trailer.  It’s gonna be big, and bring lots of freaky FX. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows hits theaters June 3, 2016.  Bring the pizza.

 

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Point Break!

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Denise
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Ready to hang ten, everybody?  C’mon — it’ll be over 60 degrees later this week, so the water’s fine!  (You go first though.)

I’ve got passes for the remake of Point Break, and though there’s no Keanu this time, I’m betting the adrenaline junkies here are chomping at the bit.  Ready?  Synopsis!

In the fast-paced, high-adrenaline “Point Break,” a young FBI agent, Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey), infiltrates a cunning team of thrill-seeking elite athletes – led by the charismatic Bodhi (Édgar Ramírez).  The athletes are suspected of carrying out a spate of crimes in extremely unusual ways.  Deep undercover, and with his life in imminent danger, Utah strives to prove they are the architects of this string of inconceivable crimes.  The film is replete with the most daring athleticism ever seen in a motion picture.  These action adventure feats are performed by elite athletes representing the world’s best in class in big-wave surfing, wingsuit flying, sheer-face snowboarding, free rock climbing, and high-speed motorcycling.

Woohoo!  Ready for passes?  Yeah you are!

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